Why Do Toddlers Scratch Their Faces And Body?

If you’ve been wondering why do toddlers scratch their faces and body, don’t stress about it as Itching is one of the most common skin problems toddlers face. Sometimes generalised skin itching may be a sign of some underlying condition that requires treatment. Itching can make a toddler very uncomfortable and cause toddlers to scratch their face and body.

When toddlers scratch their faces and body it can damage their skin and make the condition worse. It’s advisable to keep some organic coconut oil for babies like the BabyChakra Coconut Oil For Babies handy to soothe your babies itchy and irritated skin. This oil helps relieve dry irritated itchy skin from any rashes and soothes any sores or inflammation on the skin.

BabyChakra

Organic Coconut Oil

₹ 299

Add To Bag

But it’s important to know why toddlers scratch their faces and body and also what are the remedies for itchy skin.

What Do Toddlers Scratch Their Face And Body?

There are many causes for why toddlers scratch their faces and body.  Some of the conditions that cause kids to itch their skin and body are:

Insect Bites

Insect bites and stings are common in children. Especially mosquitoes, bed bugs, fleas, ticks and mites bites and sometimes even bee and wasp bites. In some cases, the itching and pain can be severe and may require immediate medication. Keep an after-bite roll on in your first aid box so that you can provide immediate relief if your toddler gets bitten.

BabyChakra

After Bite Roll-On

₹ 249

Add To Bag

Contact Dermatitis 

Itchy skin may be caused by contact with certain substances such as faeces, soaps, urine, detergents, perfumes, medications, plants or metals like nickel that cause an irritant reaction. A child suffering from contact dermatitis may have a burning, stinging sensation along with itching.

Atopic Dermatitis And Dry Skin

Atopic dermatitis and dry skin affect around 15 to 20 per cent of children. Children who have a family history of asthma, hay fever or eczema are more likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis usually appear in the first two years of a toddler’s lifeThe main symptoms are dry skin and excessive itching.

Infections

Sometimes viral infections like fungal infection, chickenpox, and bacterial infections cause a toddler to itch. These infections are very common in toddlers. 

Urticaria

Urticaria occurs when the blood vessels release fluid under the surface of the skin. It is caused by an allergic reaction to a medicine, food, bee or wasp sting or contact with any allergen. It is sometimes also caused by a bacterial or viral infection. When a toddler is suffering from Urticaria, it may be acute and there may be a flare-up on the skin, and the skin looks red. This can last for a few minutes or several hours and goes away without leaving any trace. In extreme cases it can affect the tongue or throat causing the airways to narrow, this needs to be treated immediately.

Pinworms

A parasitic worm infestation is common in children and is caused by contaminated food, hands, clothing and bedding or clothes. Pinworms or threadworms show no symptomless but toddlers may be very itchy, especially at night.

What The Doctor May Suggest When Toddlers Scratch Their Face And Body

The doctor may ask for:

• Symptoms and signs to enable a clinical diagnosis
• Additional tests to help to confirm suspicions 
• Skin scrapings for microscopy and culture if the doctor suspects a fungal infection 
• Swab for culture and sensitivities 
• Patch testing if an allergy is suspected
• Scraping from burrow to confirm scabies 
• Once the cause has been determined, temporary relief with antihistamines may be suggested

Itching in toddlers can be a real problem and managing a child with itching is not easy. The most important thing is to get a proper diagnosis and get immediate treatment. 

Cover image source: freepik